Completed Projects

Strategic Planning Crucial for Tribal Economic Sustainability

“You have to make a long term plan for diversification, but it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s important to commit to the reinvestment necessary to accomplish your goals so you are not bleeding enterprises dry while on the path. [It’s] critical to continually educate the leadership and community about the plan and how it’s progressing.”

Tribes with significant gaming initiatives and related businesses can find themselves bombarded with myriad offers, opportunities and potential scams. Throughout Indian Country, many tribal leaders are often faced with a stack of business plans―from family and friends, as well as unsolicited proposals from off the reservation―awaiting their attention.

For tribal nations with an eye toward the future, dealing with the sheer number of opportunities can present a number of challenges, including wasted resources, implementation of projects that simply don’t work and stasis in decision-making. Taken together, these challenges can inhibit growth in Native communities.

With a thoughtful, well-organized Strategic Planning Work Session, however, tribes can follow a structured, objective process that can help align their internal goals for diversification with long-term sustainability that is crucial to maintaining governmental and economic stability.

Most tribes, says BSSG president John Mooers, are very cognizant of the importance of developing and implementing a viable plan that works―regardless of whether they are located near urban or rural areas. And depending on what a particular tribe’s needs are, BSSG has planning solutions for tribal governance, its business operations, or both.

“We have worked with tribes that spent many years and a lot of money on projects and initiatives that had produced no equitable results,” says BSSG President John Mooers. “So we set up a two-day work session to assess where they are and we go over what did and didn’t work for them. We review government documents, by-laws and ordinances and interview stakeholders, including the tribal council and economic council board members.”

Over the two-day work session, BSSG identified their top priorities and their existing resources to create and a practical, step-by-step action plan that can help them move in the direction they want to go, says Mooers.

Mooers says that it’s important to note that there are no absolute answers that apply to all of Indian Country. Each tribe has its own unique needs and goals, and enterprises that look profitable for one tribe might not look as promising for another. Therefore, it is vital to never assume that that a strategic plan developed for one tribe would apply to another.

“Our work sessions are a very effective cost benefit for tribes whose economic growth has stagnated or started to decline,” says Mooers. “Our strategists always take detailed notes so that we are able to fully assess where the opportunities and challenges lie. Afterward we can bring real-world options to the table in creating workable solutions.”

One key aspect not often considered by tribes, for example, is how diversification will impact risk/return potential and job creation as a part of an overall business strategy. This concept, known as portfolio management, is a simple and powerful tool that helps leaders focus on the entirety of the tribal economic and financial picture, not just viewing single investments as isolated decisions.

“As we all know, governments don’t make money, they spend money,” says Mooers. “So a lot of what we’re doing in Indian country is creating job opportunities and efficiencies in their enterprises to generate the profits and tax revenues necessary to fund the government, which in turn increases its ability to provide services to its members.”

Mooers says that while the Strategic Planning Sessions are two-days, BSSG also has buildable solutions for assessment, planning and implementation for a wide array of concerns, including governmental, business development, housing, healthcare, and more.

“Our work sessions are very effective at identifying and establishing a strategic action plan that is tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of a tribal nation,” says Mooers. “But we can also build a comprehensive plan that can help build a stable government with a growth economy.”

What tribal leaders are saying about Blue Stone:

Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan

Blue Stone helped the Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Authority with a feasibility study for a gas station/c-store. We found them to be very knowledgeable and prompt with their results.

-- John Shagonaby

, Chief Executive Officer

Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana

Blue Stone brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization while emphasizing the need of Unity and helping bring Our Vision to fruition.

-- Marshall Pierite

, Former Tribal Chairman

Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians

Blue Stone performed a thorough analysis that resulted in giving us insight and information that we converted into action that is returning positive results.

-- Darrell Mike

, Chairman

Squaxin Island Tribe

Blue Stone offers a clear effective product that takes in the uniqueness of your situation. They are very complete in their analysis to better serve your needs and productivity in your businesses. It is well worth the investment. Blue Stone was well worth the investment. A direct result was a more dedicated and motivated workforce … Continue reading “Squaxin Island Tribe”

-- Ray Peters

, Intergovernmental Affairs/Council Liaison

Dakota Nation Development Corporation of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate

Blue Stone is a vital partner in your business network for native business success, privately or tribally owned.

-- DelRay D German

, Chairman

Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

Blue Stone has a unique talent for analyzing resources so our Tribal Council could engage in a thoughtful dialogue to determine priorities.

-- Homer A. Mandoka

, Former Tribal Chairman

Seminole Tribe of Florida

The Blue Stone Team of professionals worked well with our Community Members and Executive Staff in developing the detailed recommendations for Council’s consideration.

-- James Billie

, Chairman

Ute Mountain Casino, Hotel & Resort

Blue Stone provided an unbiased perspective that our Council respected and was extremely professional and efficient in their assessment.

-- Bob Brooker

, General Manager

Seneca Nation

Utilizing Blue Stone helped us facilitate our priorities.

-- Tina Abrams

, Councilor

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

We appreciated their attention to detail and clear understanding of our community and bringing Accountability to our businesses. We have the honor of providing a competitive work environment which has resulted in attracting a talented workforce that is eager to work for us.

Results for Michigan tribe: Paid off loan completely in just three years.

Serving Tribal Nations

(949) 476-8828 office | (949) 861-7419 fax
info@bluestonestrategy.com

Passion. Dedication. Commitment. Respect.

These four words are the driving force behind Blue Stone Strategy Group’s team of strategists, tribal advisors and subject-matter experts as we work to create stronger economies and communities for our Tribal clients.